Coin-controlled vending-machine.



' A. JACOBS.

COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

AIPLIOATION FILED P113. 26, 1903.

943,552. Patented Dec. 14,1909.

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COIN CONTROLLED VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.26,1908.

943,552, Patented Dec. 14, 1909.

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UNITED STATES ALONZO JACOBS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR 'IOJACOBS CIGAR VENDOR 00., OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OFMISSOURI.

COIN-CONTROLLED VENDING-MACHINE.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALoNzo Jaoons, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri,have invented new and useful Improvements in Coin ControlledVendinglvlachines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to coin controlled vending machines, in which theinsertion of a coin of the proper denomination is required to adapt thedelivery mechanism to be actuated to perform its function; and itrelates more particularly, though not exclusively, to an improvement inthe variety of such machines used for vending articles from a magazine,for example cigars and various kinds of merchandise packed in round,square or other shaped packages.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a coin-controlledvending machine, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, whereby thesuccessive operation of the machine a predetermined number of times ishad through the insertion of a predetermined number of coins to causethe delivery of articles from the machine, and which will set the partsof the machine in such a manner as to enable the machine to be operatedso as to deliver an article free of costthat is to say without theinsertion of a coin, and, by way of example, in this connection it willbe assumed that the machine is vending cigars at a cost of six for aquarter. The insertion of five nickels will enable the machine to beoperated so as to deliver five cigars, and, after the insertion of thefifth nickel and delivery of the fifth cigar the parts of the machinewill be so set as to discharge another cigar without the insertion of anadditional coin.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a coin-controlledvending machine which shall be comparatively simple in its construction,strong, durable, eflicient in its use, readily assembled and inexpensiveto set up.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists inthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinaftermore specifically described and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understoocl that changes, variations and modi-Specification of Letters Patent.

AppIication filed February 26, 1908.

Patented Dec. let, 1909.

Serial No. 417,863.

fications can be resorted to which come with in the scope of the claimshereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters denotecorresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is asectional side elevation of a coincont-rolled vending machine inaccordance with this invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional viewwith the upper portion of the case removed; Fig. 3 is a sectional plan;Fig. l is a transverse section on line H of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is atransverse section on line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a longitudinalsection of the delivery slide; Fig. 7 is an inverted plan of thedelivery slide; Fig. 8 is a detail in side elevation showing the meansfor positioning the parts to deliver an article free; Fig. 9 is aperspective view of one of the spring-pressed clamps for the reservoircontaining the articles to be vended.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine embodies a supportingbase constituting a receptacle formed of a bottom 12, a top wall 13 anda front wall 14:, to which the forward end of the top wall is hinged, asat 15, a rear wall 16 and a transverselyextending partition 17, which inconnection with the rear wall 16 forms a coin-receiving chamber 18. Thesupporting base further embodies a pair of side walls. lVithin thechamber 18 is positioned a pair of links 19, 20 pivoted together as at21, and the link 19 is pivoted to one of the side walls of the base asat 22, while the link 20 is pivoted to a lug 23 depending from the topwall 13. The rear wall 16 of the supporting base is provided with a lock24, the bolt of which is adapted to engage in the rear portion of thetop wall 13 so as to lock the said wall. Mounted upon the top wall 13 isan inclosing frame 25, the walls of. which are provided with transparentportions 26. The rear wall 27 of the frame 25 is hinged, as at 28, tothe top wall 13 and carries a lock 29 adapted to engage with the topwall 30 of the frame, thereby locking the said rear wall 27. Byproviding the frame in a manner as shown the parts of the machine arevisible.

Secured to the top wall 13 is a pair of vertically-extending supportingplates 31, 32, to which is connected an intermediate section 33 of thecoin chute. The latter embodies not only the intermediate section 33,but an upper section and a lower section The front of the frame 25 isprovided with a coin slot to allow of the insertion of the coin so thatit can travel down the coin chute. The coin chute forms no part of thepresent invention, and it is, therefore, thought unnecessary to describeit in detail. The lower sect-ion 35 of the coin chute is formed with anotch 36 in which operates the angular lever 37, the function being todislodge the coins from the section 36 so that they will be dischargedin the conduit 38 and from there emptied into the chamber 18.

Arranged to extend below and in alinement with the vertical section 33of the coin chute is a trip arm 39 adapted to be engaged by a coinduring its travel through the chute. The engagement of the coin with thearm 39 shifts it, thereby rocking the shaft 40 as the arm 39 has one endfixed to the said shaft 40. The rock shaft 40 which is journaled in theplates 31, 32 and projects from the outer face of the said plate 32carries on its projecting end a releasing arm 41 whose free end isadapted, when the shaft 40 is in normal position, to lie in the path ofa shoulder 43 formed on a stop arm 44 fixed to the projecting end 45 ofa crank shaft 46, the latter being journaled in the plates 31, 32. Thecrank shaft 46 constitutes an actuating means for the delivery slide ofthe machine which will be hereinafter referred to. The crank shaft 46carries a pinion 47 which engages with a gear 48 mounted upon anoperating shaft 49, the latter carrying a power-transmitting spring 50.

Shaft 49 is journaled in the plates 31, 32 and projects from the plate31 and carries on its projecting end a beveled pinion 51 meshing with abeveled pinion 52 secured to the inner endv of a winding shaft 53 whichis journaled in the laterallyextending brackets 54 projecting from theplate 31 and has a reduced end 55 adapted to be engaged by a key wherebywhen occasion requires the power-transmitting spring can be wound.

The trip arm 39 is connected to the lower end of an expansible spring56, the latter having its upper end attached to a bracket 57 carried bythe plate 31. The function of the spring 56 is to return the trip arm 39to normal position, that is the position shown in Fig. 2. The returningof the trip arm 39 to normal position returns the rock shaft 40 to suchposition. The rock shaft 40 is furthermore provided with a secondaryreleasing arm 58 adapted to be engaged by a lug projecting laterallyfrom the inner face of the gear 48.

From the foregoing arrangement of parts it is evident that when the coinactuates the arm 39 the rock shaft 40 will be shifted,

thereby moving the arm 41 out of the path of the shoulder 43 andreleasing the stop arm 44. The release of the stop arm 44 will allow thespring 50 to expand, causing a rotation of the shaft 49, and through themedium of the gear 48 and pinion 47 will retate the crank shaft 46,thereby reciprocating the delivery slide to be hereinafter referred to,as the delivery slide is connected with the shaft 46 through the mediumof a link 60. The lug 59 is so disposed on the gear 50 that afterseveral successive releases of the stop arm 44, which causes a rotationof the gear 48, the lug 59 will then engage the secondary releasing arm58 and shift the rock shaft and allow an actuation of the delivery slidewithout the insertion of a coin. This arrangement causes the dischargeof an article without payment therefor. Consequently by the mechanismheretofore referred to, after the insertion of a predetermined number ofcoins and articles are vended, the mechanism is so set as to beautomatically released so that another article will be vended free ofcharge. After the lug 59 passes off the releasing arm 58 the parts ofthe mechanism are so set that an article cannot be vended unless a coinis inserted and the vending of a free article will not again be haduntil a complete revolution of the gear 48 is had so that the lug 59will ride against the arm 58 and rock the shaft 40 to move the arm 41out of the path of the shoulder 43. To limit the upward movement of thearm 41 the stop 42 is provided which is secured to the plate 32 and thesaid stop consists of a rectangular piece of suitable material havingits upper end bent outwardly so as to overhang the arm 41. Theoverhanging upper end of the stop 42 is indicated by the referencecharacter 42 and is clearly shown in Fig. 3. The stop 42 is secured tothe plate 32 by the holdfast device 42 Each of the plates 31, 32 isprovided with an elongated longitudinal slot 61, the lower wall 62 ofeach of which constitutes tracks for the delivery slide to -be presentlyreferred to. The slots 61 are closed by cap pieces 63 secured to theouter faces of the plates 31, 32. The delivery slide, more clearly shownin Figs. 6 and 7, comprises a rigid rectangular frame formed of a pairof longitudinallyextending bars 64, 65 and a pair oftransversely-extending bars 66, 67. The bars 66, 67 project from thebars 64, 65 and carry on their projecting ends flanged rollers 68, theyouter portions of which travel upon the tracks 62. Mounted upon theforward portion of the slide frame is a transversely-extending platform69 which is flanged at its front and rear as at 70, 71. The bars 64, 65extend through the flange 71 and abut against the flange 70. Extendingthrough the flange and engaging the bars 64, 65

are holdfast devices 72 for fixedly connecting the platform 69 to theforward portion of the frame. Mounted upon the bars 64, 65 is a platform73 provided with the similar flanges 7 1, 75 through which said barsextend. The platform 7.3 is adjustable with respect to the platform 69through the medium of a screw 76 which projects through the flange 75and engages in a screw-threaded bracket 77 depending from the bar 67.The link 60 has its forward end extending through an opening 78 formedin the platform 73 and is pivotally connected to the bar 67. The flange74: of the platform 73 constitutes a transverselyextending dischargingarm for the article. The platform 7 3 is adjustable with respect to theplatform 69 to provide the necessary width of space for size of thearticle which is positioned between the flanges 71, 74: prior to thedischarge of the article from the machine through the medium of theflange 74: when the delivery slide is moved forwardly.

Arranged below the delivery slide in close proximity to the flanges 71,74 is an article support 78 consisting of a rectangular sheet ofsuitable material secured at its rear to a cross bar 79 connected to theplates 31, 32 and at its forward end yieldably mounted upon atransversely-extending bar 82 attached to the plates 31, 32. The forwardend of the article support 78 is provided with a downwardly dependingflange 83. Secured to the cross bar 82 and projecting forwardly anddownwardly at an inclination is a receiving trough S4 for the articlewhich is delivered through the medium of the delivery slide. The rearend of the trough S4 is bent around the bar 82 as at 85 and the saidtrough is mounted upon a support 86. The forward end of the trough 86rests upon the top wall 13 of the supporting base and extends through adischarge opening 87 formed in the front wall of the frame 25.

Secured between the plates 31, 32 at the forward ends thereof is anangle-shaped member having a horizontal portion 88 and a verticalportion 89. The horizontal portion 88 rests at its front edge upon asupporting bar 89 which is positioned between the forward ends of saidplates 31, 32. Secured to the lower face of the horizontal portion 88and also to the plates 31, 32 is a transversely-extending member 91having the rear face thereof provided with brushes 92 which are inalinement with the rear face of the vertical portion 89 of theangle-shaped member. In this connection it maybe stated that if anarticle should fall upon the platform 69, it would be carried, duringthe forward movement of the slide, against the brushes 92 which thusforms an abutment. On a further movement of the slide the brushes willforce the article into the space between the flanges 71, 7 1, so thatthe flange indicator device.

74 will shift the article off the support 78 and into the trough 84:whereupon it will roll down the trough and be discharged through theopening 87.

The reservoir for the articles which are to be delivered from themachine is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2 and by the referencecharacter 93. The forward portion of the reservoir which is in the formof a box rests upon the supporting bracket 94 which is secured betweenthe plates 31, 32. Bracket 94 at its forward edge is provided with lugs94 adapted to engage over the bottom of the reservoir. The side walls ofthe box which constitute the reservoir are positioned in alinement withthe guide plates 95, which thus serve as continuations of said walls.The plates 95 are notched as at 95*, to provide seats adapted to receivethe forward edge of the bottom of the box or reservoir. Each of theplates 95 is formed with a laterally-extending screw-threaded arm 96.The arms 96 extend through the plates 31, 32 and each carries anadjusting nut 97. Interposed between the plates 31, 32 and the plates 95and surrounding the arms 96 are compression springs 98. The rear portionof the reservoir 93 is engaged and supported by an arm 99 which ispivoted as at 99 to a transversely-extending member 100 mounted upon theplates 31, 32. The arm 99 has its upper end hook-shaped as at 101 so asto take over one corner of the reservoir. Surrounding the arm 99 is aspring 102, the function of which is to press the said arm 99 forwardly.

To retard and regulate the movement of the delivery slide a pair ofweights 103 is provided, which constitute fly-wheels and are carried bya shaft 104: rotatably mounted in the plates 31, 32. Approximatelycentrally of the shaft 104: there is fixed thereto a pinion 105 adaptedto be engaged by a toothed rack 106 which depends from the lower face ofthe platform 73. From the foregoing arrangement it is evident that whenthe shaft 46 is rotated so as to actuate the delivery slide the toothedrack 106 will, owing to its meshing with the pinion 105, rotate theshaft 104: and the weighted rollers 103 will then govern the movement ofthe slide, so as to reduce the impulse given by the spring to a regularand gradual movement.

Secured to the inner face of the plate 32 is a pawl 106 adapted toengage a ratchet 106 fixed to the shaft 19 to prevent back rotationthereof, and connected to the inner face of the plate 31 is a pawl 107engaging with a ratchet wheel 108 carried by the shaft 46 to preventback rotation thereof. Attached to one end of the shaft 46 is a link andlever mechanism 109 for actuating an The chute 3 1 is provided with anopening arranged in proximity to a magnet 110 and such opening allows ofthe magnet attracting any fraudulent pieces formed of a magnetizablematerial which will prevent such pieces traveling down the chute, thepieces dropping from the magnet and hitting an alarm 111 to indicatethat a fraudulent effort has been made to operate the machine. The lever37 is actuated by a yoke 112 taking over a hoop on the lever, which yokeis connected to the bar 67 A guide arm 113 is provided for the yoke 112,the said arm 113 being attached to the rear of the platform 73.

It is thought that the operation of the machine can be readilyunderstood from the foregoing description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, but it may be stated that when the trip arm 39 isactuated through the medium of a coin the shaft t6 will be rotated andsuch action through the medium of the link (30 will operate the deliveryslide, the article to be delivered having fallen into the space formedbetween the flanges 71 and 74. As the delivery slide moves forward theflange 74 will carry the article therewith and past the flange 83, thearticle then dropping into the trough 81 and rolling out of the machine.Upon the forward movement of the delivery slide the coin which has atthis time entered the section 35 of the coin chute will be dislodgedtherefrom through the medium of the lever 37, the latter being actuatedby the yoke 112. \Vhen the coin is dislodged from the section 35 of thecoin chute it will fall into the conduit 38 and from there be dischargedinto the chamber 18.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A delivery member comprising, in combination, pairsof connected longitudinal and transverse bars constituting a frame; apair of sections mounted upon the frame and formed with down-turnedflanges engaged with the longitudinal bars, said sections being spacedapart from each other to provide a pocket; a member carried by one ofthe crossbars; and a member connecting the first-named member with oneof the flanges of the adjacent section, for moving said section towardand from the other section, to

vary the size of the pocket.

2. The combination of a reciprocatory delivery slide; a rotatableretarding member; and a member carried by the slide and operativelyconnected with the retarding member, for rotating the latter during themovements of the slide.

3. The combination of a reciprocatory delivery slide; a fly wheel; and amember carried by the slide and operatively connected with the flywheel, for rotating the latter during the movements of the slide, tocontrol such movements.

4:. A vending machine comprising, in

combination, a reciprocatory delivery member; automat-ically-operatedmechanism for actuating the same; trip mechanism for holding saidactuating mechanism normally locked; means for operating said tripmechanism, to release said actuating mechanism and effect a singlereciprocation of the delivery member; and separate means for operatingthe trip mechanism to effect two successive reciprocations of saidmember.

A vending machine comprising, in combination, a delivery member; a crankshaft connected with said member for reciprocating the same; a normallylocked automatically-operated drive shaft connected with the crank shaftfor rotating the latter when unlocked; means for unlocking the powershaft to effect asingle revolution of the crank shaft; and separatemeans for unlocking said power shaft, to effect two successiverevolutions of said crank shaft.

6. A vending machine comprising, in combination, a delivery member; acrank shaft connected with said member for reciprocating the same; anautomaticallyoperated power shaft; power transmission connections forrotating said shafts in unison; a trip mechanism normally engaged withthe crank shaft for locking said shafts against rotation; means forreleasing the trip mechanism from such engagement, to effect a singlereciprocation of the delivery member; and separate means for releasingsaid trip mechanism, to effect two successive reciprocations of saidmember.

7. A vending machine comprising a recipro :atory delivery slide, motormeans for operating the same, a trip for the motor means, a governingdevice connected to and regulating the movement of the slide on both itsforward and return movements.

8. A vending machine comprising a reciprocatory delivery slide, motormeans for giving a continuous forward movement of the slide, a tripcontrolling said motor, a governing fly wheel rotatably mounted in themachine, a pinion connected to said wheel and a rack bar carried by saidslide and engaging said pinion.

9. A vending machine comprising a delivery means for the articles to bevended, a receiving trough for the articles delivered by said means, acrank shaft connected with said delivery means for operating the same, astop arm carried by said crank shaft, a rock shaft provided with aninner and an outer releasing arm said outer arm normally in the path ofsaid stop arm thereby arresting the movement of the crank shaft, a powertransmitting means engaging with the rock shaft for rotating it when thestop arm is clear of said outer releasing arm, means for actuating saidrock shaft in one direction thereby shifting the outer releasmg arm outof the path of the stop arm, and

means forming a part of said power-trans- I In testimony whereof I havehereunto set mi'tting means and adapted during the 1 my hand in presenceof two subscribing operation of said power-transmitti11g meansWitnesses.

to engage said inner releasing arm and shift the rock shaft therebyholding the outer releasing arm out of the path of the stop arm for thepurpose set forth.

ALONZO JACOBS. W'itnesses MARY S. HILL, i E. J. GIDDINGS.

